Extended Tummy Tuck Candidates

By Sheryl Pilcher on November 25, 2013

Losing weight is not easy, especially for men and women that have a significant amount of weight to lose. Trying diet after diet, exercise program after exercise program, and not achieving lasting results can feel disheartening. Fortunately, bariatric surgery has opened a new door for patients that have been unsuccessful at weight loss through more traditional methods. Bariatric surgery in conjunction with major lifestyle changes has enabled many men and women to achieve their long-term weight loss goals. The many benefits of bariatric surgery make it an excellent weight loss tool for many men and women suffering from obesity. One of the most aggravating downsides to bariatric surgery is how the body reacts to massive weight loss. Loose, hanging skin around the hips, back, and stomach is common in patients that have achieved massive weight loss. San Antonio plastic surgeon Sheryl Pilcher performs extended tummy tuck surgery to address the unique issues that result from massive weight loss.

Saying Goodbye to Loose, Hanging Skin

It can be difficult for a person that has never been overweight to understand the obstacles that obese patients face during their weight loss journey. The highs and lows experienced before and after surgery can feel like an emotional roller coaster. Losing weight, especially weight loss that occurs quickly, affects laxity of the skin. Losing a substantial amount of weight in a short amount of time does not give the skin ample time to adjust to its new, slimmer contours resulting in loose, hanging skin. A person that has 10 to 15 pounds to lose will not experience sagging skin after achieving his or her weight loss goal. Losing 80, 100, or more pounds will cause the skin to droop down. Extended tummy tuck surgery is an effective way to remove excess hanging skin after weight loss. Through extended tummy tuck surgery, excess skin and fat are removed to create slimmer, more toned contours.

Candidates

Ideally, a candidate for extended tummy tuck surgery will be in good health, within 20 pounds of his or her goal weight, and suffer from excess skin and fatty tissues hanging from the abdomen, hips, and back. Patients considering extended tummy tuck surgery must also have realistic expectations. Patients should be prepared for scarring. Some scarring will take place after surgery. Most patients do not find scars resulting from extended tummy tuck surgery bothersome. Indeed, most patients find a little scarring after surgery to be far superior to the uncomfortable, unattractive, and irritating sagging skin they had before the undergoing procedure.

Extended tummy tuck surgery requires commitment from the patient. This type of surgery is invasive. The benefits of extended tummy tuck surgery are well worth the recovery phase for the vast majority of patients that undergo the procedure. With that being said, it is an extensive surgery. Patients will need to allow their bodies’ time to heal following surgery before returning to their active lifestyles.

Schedule a Personal Consultation

Extended tummy tuck surgery can address the unique, yet common problems facing patients after achieving massive weight loss. Excess hanging skin and fatty tissues around the abdomen, hips, and back do not have to prevent you from having the body you deserve. Body contouring surgery, including extended tummy tuck surgery, can help you achieve the slim, proportionate contours you desire. If you are interested in extended tummy tuck surgery, please contact Accent Plastic Surgery, P.A., today.